Safety bolster-block and chain-lock.



O. A. MUGARTHY. SAFETY BOLSTER BLOCK AND CHAIN LOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED .TAN.11, 1911 Patented Sept, 5, 1911.

MEEETS-SHBET 1.

:WIITN ESSES 0. A MCCARTHY. .SAFETY BOLS'IER BLOCK AND CHAIN LOCK.

APPLICATION I1L ED JAN.11. 191 1.

WITNESSES 0. A. MdOARTHY. SAFETY BOLSTER BLOCK AND CHAIN LOGK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 1911. Q 7 ,292. Patented Sept. 5, 1911.

3 SHEETS BHEBTS.

u 1 I I I 1 I I n 1 INVENTOR,

.0 I 0 I I I u w WITNESSES UNITED OFFICE.

CHARLES A. MoCALR/IHY, OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH HEISLER, OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

SAFETY BOLSTER-BLOCK AND CHAIN-LOCK.

Specification 01 Letters Patent.

,latonted Sept. 5, 1911.

Application filed January 11, 1911. Serial No. 602,016.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CuARLEs A. Mo-

.CAn'rui', a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Hattiesburg, in the county of Forrest and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Safety Bolster- Block and Chain-Lock, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention has reference toimprovements in safety bolster blocks and chain locks, and its object is to provide a means for holding logs on logging wagons or upon railway cars, whereby the locking device may be removed from holding position with respect to the logs without danger to the operator.

In the lumber regions it is customary to hold the logs on the bolsters of the logging wagons or trucks by blocks secured to the bolsters by pins, and when it becomes-necessary to remove the logs the pins must be knocked out, often at. the expenditure of much labor and time and frequently one or more of" the logs will escape from the wagon or truck, thereby causing serious injury or the death of the loggers, since it is necessary that the person driving the pins out stand in such relation to the blocks as to be in the path of any logs which may roll from the bolster.

In accordance with the present invention the retaining blocks for the logs are'so se cured to the bolster-' that they may be released by a person standing wellout of the path of the logs, should any of them roll from the bolster after the block is released, so that the person operating the mechanism to releaseflthe blocks may do so with the assurance of safety even though the entire load of logs should escape from the bolster supporting it. The blocks may, further more, carry stanchions and both the blocks and the stanchions will move )utof the path of the logs, so that, the latter may be re moved from the logging wagon or truck withoutlinjury to either the blocks -or stanchions, but these blocks and stanchions, or the blocks alone where the stanchions are not used, are permanently fastened to the bolster. carrying them in a manner preventing the loss of such blocks, so that they are always ready for use. Furthermore, the blocks are capable of sliding along the bolsters to any desired position of adjustment and logsrmay-thereforebolsters irrespective of the size of such logs, so long as the diameter of a log does not excoed the ca pacity of the wagon or truck.

The inventioi'i will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that while the showing of the drawings illustrates a practical embodiment of the invention, the latter is not limited to the exact structure shown, since the invention is susceptible of various modifications wherein the salient features of the invention are retained.

In the drawingsz-Figure 1 is an end elevation of a logging truck showing the invention applied to the bolster of the structure and also .showing logs supported thereon. Fig. Qis {an elevation of the face of the bolster remote from that shown in Fig. 1, and also showing in dotted lines the positions assumed by the blocks when both have been released and the logs have moved them from the bolster. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a central-vertical section through one end of the bolster with a block and stanchion mounted thereon. the section being taken in the longitudinal plane of the bolster. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the bolster showing the chain lock secured thereto. Fig? i 8 is a section'of'the chain lock on the line 8-8 of Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a section of the chain lock on the line 9-9 of. Fig. 8. Fig. i 10 is an elevation of one end of a log ing icar bolster showing the invention appied, 5 the structure being modified in some details. 5 Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Fig.

10. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10. Fig. 13' is a perspective view showing an application 'of the chain lock differing from that of the other fi ures. Fig. 14 is a section of the structure s own in Fig. 13 similar to the section of Fig. 8, but showing the chain engaging member i the inactive position.

Referring to the drawings, but first to the structure of Figs. 1 to 9, both inclusive, there is shown a bolster 1 mounted on an axle 2,which in turn is supported by wheels 3, the showing being largely indicative of a logging truck, such as is employed in the no attempt has been made to show its detailed construction.

The bolster 1 is of ordinary construction with ends 4 overhanging the wheels 3, and

with the edge upon which the logs are supported, and, therefore, constituting the upper edge, straight. Since, however, this edge is subjected to wear, it is flanked on each side with strips 5 which may be sunk into the bolster flush with the sides thereof and secured thereto in any appropriate manner, screws bein the fastening devices shown for the strips 5. It is assumed that the bolster 1 is made of wood, but this does not preclude (the making of, the bolster of metal, in which case the strips 5 may be omitted, for then the bolster may either be made of structural steel orof the web andflange type commonly employed in the manufacture of light, strong metallic devices.

The logs are held to the bolster by blocks 6, 7, respectively, and since these blocks may be alike, the description of one will apply with equal forceto the other. One of these blocks is best.'shown 'in Figs. 4, 5'and 6. The block hasthat end or face designed to be presented toward the center line of the truck, and, thereiore, toward the logs, inclined as indicated at 8, and near the other end the block has a substantially rectangular passage 9-therethrough in an up and down or substantially vertical direction'when the block is in position on the bolster and. the

latter is level or approximately so. That -wall of the passage 9 remote from the inclined or beveled face 8 and indicated at 10 is recessed at top and bottom as indicated at 11 and 12, respectively. The passage 9 is designed to receive a stanchion 13 which may be made of channel steel with the ends of the channels closed in by fia-n es 14, 15, respectively, these flanges each aving an extension 16 beyond the plane of the free edges of the sides of the channel. Formed I in the block is a passage 1-7 opening at the sides of the block and curving from the ends toward the middle away from the beveled face 8 of the block. At the sides of the block at which the passage 17 opens are flanges 18, so related and spaced that when the block is placed upon the top of the bolster these flanges or wing: 18 aredn embracing relation: to the sides ofth'e bolster where provided with the weanstrips 5, the strips protecting the top'and sidesof the bolster from wear due to the movementeithe block therealong.

, When the .block is upon the bolster the lower end of the stanchion is flush with the bottom of the block, the extension 16 of the flange in entering the recess 12 of the bleck. If, however, the block is moved sufficiently beyond the end of the bolster, the

stanchion will drop until caught b the ex tension 16 of the flange 14 thereof and the block will then simply fall from the bolster when its movement permitting the release of the stanchion has progressed far enough. Carried by the bolster in traversing relation thereto near each endis a pin 19 projecting from each side of the bolster tor a purpose which will presently appear.

At a central point on the bolster and near the lower edge thereof, on each face of the bolster, are secured blocks 20, 21, respectively, these blocks having each a curved channel 22 on what constitutes the under edge of the block when the parts are in the operative position and at an intermediatepoint on the' top of the block there is formed an eye 23, while through side extensions of each block there extend bolts 24 through the bolster. Secured to the eye 23 of the block 20 is one end of a chain 25 and secured to the eye 23 of the block 21 is one end of a chain 26. The chain 25 is carried through the passage 17 traversing the block 16, and from thence extends to the block 21, along the channel 22 in the lower edge of the block, the direction of the chain being thereby changed so that the block with its channel constitutes a direction changing means for the chain, and from this block the chain extends to a chain lock to be described, this chai .lodk being carried by the bolster on thesi e of the block 21 and near that end of the bolster remote from the block 6. The chain 26 is carried through the passage 17 in the block 7, thence to the block 20 through the channel 22 thereof and to a chain lock like the one just mentioned. This chain lock is best shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and comprises a body member 27 of general cylindrical shape having therethroi'lgh' an approximately diametrical passage 28- about midway of its length and formed at one end of this block are ears 29, which may also be in diametric relation one to the other, these ears being traversed by bolts .30 or other block to the bolster 1. At opposite ends, but on the same side of the passage 28 there are formed outstanding ledges-31, 32 for a purpose which will presently appear, and these ledges merge into a face 33 on which there is formed, or to which there is attached a yoke 34 for a purpose which will presently appear.

The body 27 at the end remote from the ears 29 is formed with or has secured thereto port for a hand lever 36 provided with a passage for the stud 35 and about this pas-- suitable securing devices attaching the an axial stud 35 constituting a pivot supsage expanded into a disk like portion 37 having formed at its periphery for a portion of the circumference thereof a curved flange 38 'shaped to artially embrace the cylindrical portion 0 the body 27 for an extent greater than the diameter of the passage 28, the position of the flange 38 with respect to the arm 36 defining in the particular structure shown an angle somewhat greater than ninety degrees. The lever is confined to the stud 35 by a washer 39 and a pin 40, which latter traverses an appropriate hole through the stud 3'5, and in the a particular structure shown the pin 40 is of same relation to the recess 41 that it has to the link already seated in said recess.

It has already been statedthat the axis of the passage 28 is substantially diametric to the axisof the cylindrical body 27, but the longitudinal axis of the passage 28 may be to one side of the axis of 'generation'of and in chord relation to the cylinder 27,s o that a chain traversing the passage28 and having a link in the'recess al'will engage the exterior of the flange 38 on that side of an axial diametric plane of the cylinder 27 parallel with' the longitudinal axis of'the passage 28 toward the face 33. Furthermore, the chain lock is secured to the bolster at a higher point than the block 20 or 21 as the case may be, so' that the chain tends to engage-the lower portion of the passage 28, whereby that link of the chain engaging against the outer wall of the flange 38 will tend to approach the ledge 31. The result of this is that there is a force brought to bear upon the flange 38 tending tomove it toward the ledge 31 and thus that edge of, the flange 38 where the recess 41 opens is held firmly against the ledge 31 by the constraining action of the chain, and so long as the chain remains taut the flange 38 will normally look the chain, this tendency being augmented by the normally pendent 'position of the long arm of the lever 36 which is directed downward when the flange 38 is in locking'relation to the chain. It re- .quires considerable force to move the lever 36 to carry the flange 38 out of locking relation to the chain, so that accidental. un-

locking of the chain is practically eliminated.

Let is be assumed-that the logsshown in Fig, 1 are to be discharged from the side of the bolster occupied by the block 7. Under l 7 these circumstances the logging structure is so loaded that the chain lock controlling the block 7 is readily accessible. When the logs are first loaded the block 6 may be properly positioned and locked by means of the chain 25 and after the logs are loaded, the block 7 may be drawn up against the logs and the chain 26 locked. hen it is desired to unload the logs the operator has but to grasp the lever 36 and move it in a direction to carry the flange 38 from covering relation to the passage 28, this causing the withdrawal of the flange from engaging relation to the links of the chain when the chain, in the particular instance shown the chain 26, is released, and if the logs be in position to gravitate from the bolster the blockh'? is forced off of thebolster and the logs pass from the bolster to the ground.

The dropping of the block 7 causes first "the,

dropping of the stanchion carried thereby and then the escape of the block from the bolster, but, the block does not fall to the ground because of the presence of the pin 19 in the path of the chain. 26, so that the block and the stanchion carried thereby are upheld and do not fall to the ground to be mislaid or lost. It will thus be-seen that? the load oflogs may be readily released without the necessity of exposure of the operatorto danger, since the operator is not at anytime in the path of the logs as they move from the truck, the appropriate, block 6 or 7 being held solely b and this'chan is controlled solely by the lock individual thereto, which look is accessible from one or the other face of the bolster. p

The invention with some modifications is applicable to logging cars, or in fact 'to any car where stanchions may be, used, and where the removal of the st'anchions may release. the load in whole or in part, so as to become dangerous to an operator at the side of the car where the stanchion or stanchions are released. The application of the invention to a car is shown in Fi s. 10, 11' and 12,

where a car bolster is ind1cated'at42 and ,there is shown attached to one end of this bolster a yoke43 straddling the end of the bolster and held thereto by straps 44;. lVhile the chain individual thereto,

only one end of the bolster 42 is shown, it

will be understood that the other end is similarly equipped. The yoke 43- has its connecting member 45 spaced from the end of the bolster sufiiciently to permit a stam chion 46 to travel through such space, the

stanchionv and passage therefor being proportioned to make a snug, yet free tit. The stanchion is provided with a longitudinal groove 47 along one face, but this groove stops short of the ends of the stanchion,

while a set screw 48 carried by the yoke and entering the groove serves'to limit the move ment of the stanchion to prevent its escape from the yoke, One end of thestanchion, this being the lower end in practice has formed therethrough a passage 49, such passage being similar to the passage, 17 through through the passage 49' in'the'lower end of the stanchion, thence through the channel 51 the block 6 or 7 in th'at itjis curved to avoid I any sharp corners to interfere with the action of the chain or to'causesharp bends in the chain. The yoke 43 has on one side a curved bracket 50 with a longitudinally= curved channel 51 therein, and the said yoke 43 on the side thereof remote from the bracket 50' is provided with a pin 52 or other'suitable means designed to secure one end of a chain 53-which-is carried therefrom in the bracket 50, which bracket constitutes a direction changing means for the chain,

and finally to .a chain look like that shown in Fig. 7 fast to the bolster 42 at a'point re-' mote from the stanchion controlled by the chain 53'. It will bra-understood that a like arrangement prevails with"relation' to the stanchion at the other endof the bolster 42 from that shown in Fig. 10'. When the chain 53 is released from the lock the stanchion 46 will drop until its upper endis flush with or below the top of the yoke 43 and the load .of the car, whether such load be logs or other Y structures, maybe removed therefrom at will and without interference, the chain, lock being within easy reach-of an operatorfrom the side of'; the car remote from that carrying the stanchion or stanchions controlled by said chainlock.

In order to protect the chain look from unauthorized manipulation and to further contribute to the safety ofthe structure by preventing accidental release of the chain or chains, a lock 54 shown in Fig. 13 may be passed througli the yoke 34 and about the long-arm ofthe lever 36 adjacent thereto,

- thereby securing the lever in the position locking the ,chain in a manner preventing movement o f the lever either manually or accidentally, so that none ybllt' authorized persons mayfiausje the, release of the load.

The samelpdk is capable of-securingf'the chain to a-pofst or other support as shownin Fig. 13, where a post is [indicated at 55, and

derstood that these stanchions may be' omitthe chain at;,.'56 thechain being carried through the yoke f34, thence about the. post.

55 and finally thj/ough the passage 28. to be locked in the manner already described.

While the blocks 6 and '7 are shown as provided with stanchions v13, it' will be unted andfthe blocks used without them. It

. purpose may be used.

will, furthermore, beunderstood that the structure shown in Figs. 1 and and associated figures maybe used upon cars instead. of the structure shown in Figs. 10, 11

and 12'. Furthermore, will be understood that while usually chains are employed in connection with the blocks, or stanchions, any other flexible strand adapted for the i The chains for the blocks are each made fast at one end and are then passed through the respective block, While the other end is carried through the chain lock, this provid- S'ing a means whereby the block may be.

;''moved toward the center of the bolster with fcomparative ease against a considerable resistance, thereby enabling the operator to bind the load, and since either or both blocks maybemoved to any extent and locked in any position they are readily adjustable to suit logs of different diameters.

VVhati's claimed is 1. In a device for the purpose set bolster, a log retaining means having a hole 'theret hrough and also mounted on the bolster in slidable relation thereto, a flexible actuating and holding means'for the slidable log retaining means and extending through the hole in-said log retaining means,.

and a lock. for the flexible means for securingit in any desired osition of adjustment.

4 2. In a device for t e purposeset forth, a

bolster, a log retaining means in slidable relation to the bolster, a flexible actuating and retaining means for the slidable means traversing the latter and having a connection with the bolster in fixed relation thereto, a direction changing means for, the flexi-' forth, a

bis means, and a. lock for-said flexible means v on the side-of thedirection changing means remote from-the log retaining means, said locking means being carried by the bolster.

3. In a device for the purpose-set forth, a bolster, a-slidable log retainin means carried by the bolster and provide with a hole through it in a direction substantially transverse to the length of the'bolster, a chain connected at one end to thit bblster and extending through the hole in the log retaining means, and a chain lock on the bolster secured to the side ther'eof'remote from'that to which the 1 said. end of the chain is secured;

4. In'a'device for the purpose set forth, a' bolster,.- a log retaining means slidable with relation to said bolster and provided Witha passage, a. chain connected at one'end to one side of the bolster and extending through the passage in the log retaining means,- a

which the said end of the chainisconnected, and a chain lock on the same side of the bolster as the direction changing means and more distant from the logretainingnieans than is the directionchanging means.

Ina device for the purpose set forth, a

supporting member, a log retaining block capable of sliding on the support, said log retaining.block having a hole therethrou h in a direction substantially transverse to t e direction in which the block is slidable, a flexible member extending through the hole in the block, andmeans for securing the flexible memberto hold the block in position on the support.

passagewaytla-rethreugh transverse to the j direction oi. movement of the block collie bolster. a chain eonneetml at one end to the bolster and extending through the passage in the bloelt, a direction changing means on the bolster for the chain, and a chain lock on the bolster adjacent the end of the bolster bolster,'a log retaining block adapted to slide on said bolster and provided with means for preventing the displacement; of the block laterally with relation to the bolster, said block having a passageway theretln'ough in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the bolster el'igaged by the block, and a starawhion of channel structure traversing the passage in the block and provided ateach end with lateral extensions for confining the stanchion to the block while prru'iitiing longitudinal movt-unent of the stanchion with relation to the block.

13. In a device for the purpose setforth, a bolster, a log retaining block adapted to slide on said bolster and provided with means for preventing the displacement.- of

Qthe block laterally with relation to the remote from the end designed to sustain the bolster, slidablc blocks adapted to opposite t ends of the bolster, and each provided with a traversing passage, direction changing brackets on opposite sides of the bolster, a chain connected at one end to a respective direction changing bracket and extending through the passage in a respective one of the blocks, and chain locks adjacentthe end of the bolster remote from the block to be controlled thereby, the chain extendingfrom a block being engaged by the chain directing member before reaching the chain lock.

'9. In a device for the purpose setforth, a log retaining block having a curved. passage therethrough, block holding means extending throughsaid curved passage, and means for guiding the block upon asuitable suport. 1 p 10,. In a device for the purpose set forth, a log retaining block provided with a curved passage and with another passage, block holding meansextending through said curved passage and a stanchion in traversing relation to the last named passage and movable through said passage. i

11. In a device for the purpose setforth, a bolster, a block slidable thereal'ong and provided with retaining flanges or wings for engaging the sides of the bolster, said block having a passage therethrough in a directidn e'rpendicular to the bolster where engaged by the block, and a stanchion traversmg the said passage and provided with means for retaining it. in the block While permittin movement of the stanchion in the block in he direction of the length of said stanchion.

.12. "In a device for the purpose set forth, a

bolster, said block having a passage therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the holster engaged by the block, a stanchion of channel structure tiavm'sing the passage in the block and provided at each end with lateral extensions fo con fining the stanchion to the block while permitting longitudinal movement of the stanchion with relation to the block, said block being also rovided with another passageway therethrough, and a flexible member connected at one end to the bolster and extending through the last named passageway in the block.

14. In a device for the purpose set forth, a bolster, a block adapted to slide thereon and provided with side wings designed to embrace the sides of the bolster, said. block havin r a curved passageway 'therethrough from si e to side and another passageway therethrough in a direction toward the portion of the block adapted to rest on' the bolster, a stanchion traversing the last named. passage- Way and provided with means for preventingits escape from the block while permitting longitudinal movement of the stanchion, a chain connected at one end to the bolster and carried through the curved passage in the block, a chain lock for the other end of the chain, and chain supports carried by-the bolster to upholdthe block and portion of the chain traversing the latter when the block has escaped from the end of the holster.

In testimony, t-liat'I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed-my signature in the resenco of two witnesses.

EHARLES A. MGGARTIIY.

VVit-nesses:

W. M. Foo'ra, M. Gums. 

